Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic, The Scarlet Letter, has become one of the most discussed novels of all time. Much of the controversy stems from the obvious gender issues throughout the story. Given the setting of 17th century Boston, the plot takes place in a conservative Puritan society. For this reason, Hester Prynne, the protagonist, spends the seven years during which the book takes place, dealing with the repercussions of what is considered a "crime" against God and her community. The situation she finds herself in is one that very few people could actually endure. Yet, she is able to overcome all obstacles and exceed people's expectations of an "ordinary Puritan woman." The complexity of the story delves into the depths of gender equality and this woman's unconventional position in society. Hawthorne is able to portray conflicting gender roles in Scarlett's Letter by depicting the expected character of a Puritan woman and directly contrasting this norm with her very complex and well-developed character, Hester Prynne. It is obvious to the reader that Hester Prynne is not a Puritan woman. ordinary women due to her obvious disregard for the expectations of Puritan society. “A community which embodies the qualities of aging public men must necessarily repress those of youth and women,” which became an unspoken but understood way of life in Salem, Massachusetts (Baym, “Defiance” 90). All women must be submissive and fully respect their husband's word. They should not speak out because it would endanger the community as a whole. The manifestation of individuality and personal beliefs is seen as both a threat and a sign of insolence, which is responded to with great seriousness...... middle of paper ......46. Print.Doren, Mark Van. “Mark Van Doren on Hester Prynne in conflict with her society.” Bloom's Notes: Scarlett's Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Ed. Harold Bloom. Broom: Chelsea House Publishers, 1998. 33-35. Print. Harris, Kenneth Marc. “Kenneth Marc Harris on Hester Prynne’s Sexuality.” Bloom's Notes: Scarlett's Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Ed. Harold Bloom. Broom: Chelsea House Publishers, 1998. 61-64. Print.Reynolds, David S. “David S. Reynolds on Hester Prynne as “Fallen Women.” » Bloom's Notes: Scarlett's Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Ed. Harold Bloom. Broom: Chelsea House Publishers, 1998. 64-67. Print.Reynolds, David S. “Hester and the Feminists of the 1840s.” Social Issues in Literature: Women's Issues in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlett Letter. Ed. Elizabeth Des Chênes. Farmington Hills: Greenhaven Press, 2009. 57-66. Print.